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Facility: Pioneer Elementary School
Address: 2950 E Gerard Ave, Merced, CA

The most recent inspection of this food facility resulted in a rating of
Good (Total Points: 2.00)
0-6  Points: Good
7-13 Points: Satisfactory
14+  Points: Unsatisfactory
Rating on date 4-14-2025: Good (Total Points: 2.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
4-14-2025 Food facilities that prepare food shall be equipped with warewashing facilities. Testing equipment and materials shall be provided to measure the applicable sanitization method. (114067(f,g), 114099, 114099.1, 114099.2, 114099.3, 114099.4, 114099.5, 114099.6, 114099.7, 114101, 114101.1, 114101.2, 114103, 114107, 114125) 1.00 Provide a sink with at least 3 compartments with 2 integral metal drainboards. The sink compartments and drainage facilities shall be large enough to accommodate the largest utensil or piece of equipment to be cleaned therein.

Clean the utensils in one of the following ways:

(1) Manual warewashing shall be accomplished by using a 3-compartment sink where the utensils are first pre-cleaned, then washed, rinsed, sanitized, and air dried. The temperature of the washing solution shall be maintained at not less than 100°F or the temperature specified on the cleaning agent manufacturer's label instructions. The utensils shall then be rinsed in clear water before being immersed in a sanitizing solution. Manual sanitization shall be accomplished in the final sanitizing rinse by one of the following:
(a) Immersion for at least 30 seconds where the water temperature is maintained at 171°F or above.
(b) The application of sanitizing chemicals by immersion, manual swabbing, or brushing, using one of the following solutions:
(1) Contact with a solution of 100 ppm available chlorine solution for at least 30 seconds.
(2) Contact with a solution of 25 ppm available iodine for at least one minute.
(3) Contact with a solution of 200 ppm quaternary ammonium for at least one minute.
(4) Contact with a solution of ozone that meets the requirements of Section 180.940 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations and that is generated by a device located onsite at the food facility that meets all of the requirements of 114099.6.
(c) Other methods approved by the enforcement agency.

(2) Mechanical machine warewashing shall be accomplished by using an approved machine installed and operated in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. Soiled items to be cleaned in a warewashing machine shall be loaded in racks, trays, or baskets or onto conveyors in a position that exposes the items to the unobstructed spray during all cycles and allows the items to drain. Mechanical sanitization shall be accomplished in the final sanitizing rinse by one of the following:
(a) By being cycled through equipment achieving a utensil surface temperature of 160°F or above.
(b) The mechanical application of sanitizing chemicals by pressure spraying methods using one of the following:
(1) Contact with a solution of 50 ppm available chlorine solution for at least 30 seconds.
(2) Contact with a solution of 25 ppm available iodine for at least one minute.
(3) Contact with any chemical sanitizer that meets the requirements of Section 180.940 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations when used in accordance with both the sanitizer manufacturers use directions and the machine manufacturer's specifications.

Provide testing equipment and materials to adequately measure the applicable sanitization method. 		Observed hot water temperature at prep sink is low and the manager stated that they use it for cold water only. Repair/replace. 0122 CAFETERIA [SCHOOL]
4-14-2025 All utensils and equipment shall be fully operative, clean, and in good repair. (114115, 114175). All utensils and equipment shall be approved, installed properly, and meet applicable standards. (114130, 114130.1, 114130.2, 114130.3, 114130.4, 114130.5, 114130.6, 114132, 114133, 114137, 114139, 114143, 114153, 114155, 114163, 114165, 114167, 114169, 114172, 114175, 114177, 114180, 114182) 1.00 Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. The food-contact surfaces of cooking equipment and pans shall be kept free of encrusted grease deposits and other debris accumulations.

Keep all food facilities, and all utensils, display cases, windows, counters, shelves, tables, refrigeration units, sinks, dishwashing machines, and other equipment or utensils used in the storage, preparation, sale, service, and display of food, clean, fully operative, and in good repair.

The non-food-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Equipment shall be reassembled so that food-contact surfaces are not contaminated. 		Observed milk box has temperature issue and the manager has plan to plug in at another location to solve the plug in problems. CDI 0122 CAFETERIA [SCHOOL]


Rating on date 5-17-2024: Good (Total Points: 0.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
5-17-2024 No violations were noted during this inspection. 0.00 This food facility currently meets California Retail Food Code requirements, and is authorized by the Merced County Division of Environmental Health to be open for business. The permit is issued to the current business owner of record and is non-transferable. No violations observed during the inspection. 0122 CAFETERIA [SCHOOL]
5-17-2024 Additional information provided to facility operators 0.00 Excerpts from California Health and Safety Code, Division 104 (Environmental Health), Part 7 (California Retail Food Code), sections 113700 through 114437. Please contact to MCDEH to apply Open- air BBQ permit. 0122 CAFETERIA [SCHOOL]


Rating on date 3-16-2023: Good (Total Points: 1.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
3-16-2023 The premises of each food facility shall be kept clean and free of litter and rubbish; all clean and soiled linen shall be properly stored; non-food items shall be stored and displayed separate from food and food-contact surfaces; the facility shall be kept free of vermin. (114067 (j), 114123, 114143 (a) & (b), 114175, 114178, 114185, 114185.1, 114185.2, 114185.3, 114185.4, 114256, 114256.1, 114256.2, 114256.4, 114257, 114257.1, 114259, 114259.1, 114259.2, 114259.3, 114279, 114281, 114282) 1.00 All food facilities shall be kept clean, fully operative, and in good repair. A food facility shall at all times be so constructed, equipped, maintained, and operated as to prevent the entrance and harborage of animals, birds, and vermin, including, but not limited to, rodents and insects. The premises of each food facility shall be kept clean and free of litter, rubbish, and vermin.

Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be provided and used for the orderly storage of employee clothing and other possessions. Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be located in a designated room or area where contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-use articles cannot occur. Dressing rooms or dressing areas shall be provided and used by employees if the employees regularly change their clothes in the facility. 		Observed 1/2 inch gap at base of door on outside walkin cooler. Repair threshold and seal gap to prevent entry of vermin 0122 CAFETERIA [SCHOOL]


Rating on date 5-24-2022: Good (Total Points: 2.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
5-24-2022 A person proposing to build or remodel a food facility shall submit plans for approval before starting any new construction or remodeling of any facility for use as a retail food facility. (114380, 114381) 2.00 A person proposing to build or remodel a food facility shall submit complete, easily readable plans drawn to scale and specifications to the Division of Environmental Health and obtain approval prior to starting any project. REPEAT: Observed installed walk in cooler / walk in freezer combo unit installed on the exterior of the cafeteria that open outside, unapproved "membrane" type roof, no air curtain over entry door, condensate line from cooler drains to ground behind the cooler. Also two "pod" type storage containers also installed alongside the outside WIC/WIF unit being used for dry / canned storage due to lack of space in the cafeteria. Cafeteria manager reports this site was never intended to cook meals, now doing 900+ meals per day.

Site manager also reports recent visit (earlier this morning) from architect, looking to do a remodel / expand the footprint of the cafeteria and wanting to enclose the outside cooler units, possibly relocate gas lines to make food deliveries easier, and similar.

Submit plans to MCDEH for review and correction to outstanding issues with the WIC/WIF units. Building permits may also be required for some required corrective actions. Failure to comply with all applicable codes.

Prior to any future or additional upgrades or renovations, submit plans and obtain approval from MCDEH (in addition to the State Architect) for any changes to be made to the cafeteria structures or equipment prior to commencing with the actual work.

Any construction, alteration, remodeling, or operation of a food facility shall be approved by the enforcement agency and shall be in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal statutes, regulations, and ordinances, including but not limited to, fire, building, and zoning codes. 		0122 CAFETERIA [SCHOOL]
5-24-2022 Toilet facilities shall be maintained clean, sanitary and in good repair. Toilet rooms shall be separated by a well-fitting self-closing door. Toilet tissue shall be provided in a permanently installed dispenser at each toilet. The number of toilet facilities shall be in accordance with local building and plumbing ordinances. Toilet facilities shall be provided for patrons: in establishments with more than 20,000 sq ft.; establishments offering on-site food consumption. (113953, 113953.1, 113953.2, 114250, 114250.1, 114276) 0.00 Provide clean toilet facilities in good repair. Provide permanently installed toilet tissue dispenser(s) in all toilet facilities. Provide handwashing facilities within or adjacent to all toilet facilities. Soap shall be provided in dispensers at, or adjacent to, handwashing facilities. Single-use sanitary towels in dispensers or hot-air blowers shall be provided at handwashing facilities.

Customer restrooms are required for food facilities of more than 20,000 square feet if they were constructed after July 1 1984, and also applies to facilities of any size that were constructed after January 1, 2004 where there is onsite consumption of food. A "take-out only" food facility, with no seating indoors or outdoors, may not be required to provide customer restrooms. Check with the Division of Environmental Health and with the appropriate Planning Department before removing or restricting access to customer restrooms.
 NOTE: initial report of two possible restrooms used by cafeteria staff. Check of restroom indicates one set does not have handwash sinks that meet the minimum temperature requirement. Staff are now being instructed to use only the restrooms in the office so that temperature compliant handwashing sinks are consistently available. 0122 CAFETERIA [SCHOOL]


Rating on date 4-22-2021: Good (Total Points: 0.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
4-22-2021 No violations were noted during this inspection. 0.00 This food facility currently meets California Retail Food Code requirements, and is authorized by the Merced County Division of Environmental Health to be open for business. The permit is issued to the current business owner of record and is non-transferable. No violations observed during this inspection. 0122 CAFETERIA [SCHOOL]


Rating on date 11-16-2020: Good (Total Points: 0.00)
DateViolationPointsCorrectionInspector CommentsFacility Area
11-16-2020 No violations were noted during this inspection. 0.00 This food facility currently meets California Retail Food Code requirements, and is authorized by the Merced County Division of Environmental Health to be open for business. The permit is issued to the current business owner of record and is non-transferable. No violations were noted in the self certification. 0122 CAFETERIA [SCHOOL]